New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2005 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-09-25, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 23–20 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +3.99 total EPA.

On the individual side, H. Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.48 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+21.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (1:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete to 11-Q.Morgan (30-C.Scott). PENALTY on NE-30-C.Scott, Defensive Pass Interference, 23 yards, enforced at NE 27 - No Play.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +10.48 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.62 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Givens · New England Patriots · Receiving · +9.31 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Branch · New England Patriots · Receiving · +6.61 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +4.82 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +3.99 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Brown · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.14 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
7. 7 V. Haynes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.59 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.59 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Wilson · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• New England Patriots — C. Dillon (Q1 54:52)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 54:43)
• New England Patriots — C. Dillon (Q4 10:46)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 1:25)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q1 49:45)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q3 21:11)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q3 15:19)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q4 3:23)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q4 0:05)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q1 54:52) — (9:52) 28-C.Dillon up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 54:47) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 85 (Q1 54:43) — (9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 54:32) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 15 (Q1 49:45) — (4:45) 3-J.Reed 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NE 6 (Q3 21:11) — (6:11) 3-J.Reed 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 30 (Q3 15:19) — (:19) 4-A.Vinatieri 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 13–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the PIT 7 (Q4 10:46) — (10:46) 28-C.Dillon right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 10:37) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 17 (Q4 3:23) — (3:23) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NE 4 (Q4 1:25) — (1:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 1:21) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the PIT 25 (Q4 0:05) — (:05) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 1:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete to 11-Q.Morgan (30-C.Scott). PENALTY on NE-30-C.Scott, Defensive Pass Interference, 23 yards, enforced at NE 27 - No Play. [WPA +21.2% · EPA +3.94]
• New England Patriots (Q2 42:18) — (12:18) 12-T.Brady pass to 33-K.Faulk to PIT 8 for 6 yards (53-C.Haggans). FUMBLES (53-C.Haggans), RECOVERED by PIT-50-L.Foote at PIT 8. 50-L.Foote to PIT 35 for 27 yards (83-D.Branch). [WPA -20.3% · EPA -6.15]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 54:43) — (9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.0% · EPA +6.54]
• New England Patriots (Q2 30:41) — (:41) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 28-C.Hope (67-K.Von Oelhoffen) at PIT 4. 28-C.Hope to PIT 9 for 5 yards (67-D.Koppen). [WPA -18.2% · EPA -4.65]
• New England Patriots (Q4 0:05) — (:05) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller. [WPA +17.9% · EPA +0.87]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 54:43) — (9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.0% · EPA +6.54]
• New England Patriots (Q2 42:18) — (12:18) 12-T.Brady pass to 33-K.Faulk to PIT 8 for 6 yards (53-C.Haggans). FUMBLES (53-C.Haggans), RECOVERED by PIT-50-L.Foote at PIT 8. 50-L.Foote to PIT 35 for 27 yards (83-D.Branch). [WPA -20.3% · EPA -6.15]
• New England Patriots (Q2 30:41) — (:41) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 28-C.Hope (67-K.Von Oelhoffen) at PIT 4. 28-C.Hope to PIT 9 for 5 yards (67-D.Koppen). [WPA -18.2% · EPA -4.65]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 1:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete to 11-Q.Morgan (30-C.Scott). PENALTY on NE-30-C.Scott, Defensive Pass Interference, 23 yards, enforced at NE 27 - No Play. [WPA +21.2% · EPA +3.94]

Quarterback report card

T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 44 dropbacks · 70.5% completion · +0.09 EPA/play · +3.99 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 36 dropbacks · 33.3% completion · +0.13 EPA/play · +4.82 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• New England Patriots: 13 drives, +1.39 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, -5.39 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• H. Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 54:52 · PIT 4 · Score 6-0
   (9:52) 28-C.Dillon up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 54:47 · PIT 2 · Score 7-0
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 54:43 · NE 85 · Score 7-6
   (9:43) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 85 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 54:32 · NE 2 · Score 7-7
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 49:45 · NE 15 · Score 7-10
   (4:45) 3-J.Reed 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 21:11 · NE 6 · Score 7-13
   (6:11) 3-J.Reed 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
7. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 15:19 · PIT 30 · Score 10-13
   (:19) 4-A.Vinatieri 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
8. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 10:46 · PIT 7 · Score 16-13
   (10:46) 28-C.Dillon right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 10:37 · PIT 2 · Score 17-13
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
10. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 3:23 · PIT 17 · Score 20-13
    (3:23) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 1:25 · NE 4 · Score 20-19
    (1:25) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 86-H.Ward for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 1:21 · NE 2 · Score 20-20
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
13. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 0:05 · PIT 25 · Score 23-20
    (:05) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.